San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper
Circotettix splendidus
This record describes Circotettix splendidus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Overall grayish or brownish (usually rather light), with darker speckling that may group into irregular broken dark cross bands on the tegmina (front wings). Hind wing with an undulate outer margin and produced apex; yellow at base, with dark cross band weak and often confined mostly to veins; wing clear beyond cross band. Within it's range, likely to be confused only with Trimerotropis species. T. suffusa and T. bernardi are most similar. Both are proportionately more slender, with the tegmina (front wings) somewhat narrower. The hind wing has the apex less produced and radial veins less thickened. T. verruculosa suffusa (usually) and T. bernardi (sometimes) have the apex of the hind wing darkened, and the dark cross band is more solid (not confined to veins as it usually is in C. splendidus . In T. verruculosa suffusa the body coloring varies, but is often more even and darker. Both Trimerotropis species sound and behave similarly to Circotettix in flight, but they are not so loud. [ Note: T. bernardi is likely a local variant or subspecies of T. suffusa .] Other species of Trimerotropis usually are distinctly smaller; or, differ significantly in pattern; or, are structurally quite different and occur in different habitats. Other species of Circotettix are very similar, but do not occur with it.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Circotettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Primarily on exposed steep rocky areas in higher mountains, usually in forested areas.
Geographic Range
San Emigdio Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and San Bernardino Mountains of southern California.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Circotettix splendidus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper
What is San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper?
San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper (Circotettix splendidus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper?
Overall grayish or brownish (usually rather light), with darker speckling that may group into irregular broken dark cross bands on the tegmina (front wings). Hind wing with an undulate outer margin and produced apex; yellow at base, with dark cross band weak and often confined mostly to veins; wing clear beyond cross band. Within it's range, likely to be confused only with Trimerotropis species. T. suffusa and T. bernardi are most similar. Both are proportionately more slender, with the tegmina (front wings) somewhat narrower. The hind wing has the apex less produced and radial veins less thickened. T. verruculosa suffusa (usually) and T. bernardi (sometimes) have the apex of the hind wing darkened, and the dark cross band is more solid (not confined to veins as it usually is in C. splendidus . In T. verruculosa suffusa the body coloring varies, but is often more even and darker. Both Trimerotropis species sound and behave similarly to Circotettix in flight, but they are not so loud. [ Note: T. bernardi is likely a local variant or subspecies of T. suffusa .] Other species of Trimerotropis usually are distinctly smaller; or, differ significantly in pattern; or, are structurally quite different and occur in different habitats. Other species of Circotettix are very similar, but do not occur with it.
Where is San Gabriel Wrangler Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Primarily on exposed steep rocky areas in higher mountains, usually in forested areas. |
| Range | San Emigdio Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. |